Swing spout having a rotational detent

Abstract

In one embodiment, a swing spout is provided. The swing spout includes a spout hub and a bearing member. The spout hub is operable to rotate relative to the bearing member. The bearing member has a detent and the spout hub has a detent member. When the spout hub is rotated to a predetermined position, the detent member of the spout hub engages the detent of the bearing member.

1 . A swing spout comprising: 
 a spout hub having a detent member; and    a bearing member having a detent and abutting said spout hub,    wherein said spout hub is operable to rotate relative to said bearing member and wherein said detent member engages said detent at a predetermined rotational position.    
   
   
       2 . The swing spout of  claim 1  wherein said detent includes a pair of flexible fingers and said detent member includes a projection.  
   
   
       3 . The swing spout of  claim 1 , wherein said bearing member includes a stop and said spout hub includes a rotational limiting portion; and 
 wherein said stop prevents rotation of said spout hub relative to said bearing member by contacting the rotational limiting portion when said spout hub is rotated a predetermined distance relative to said bearing member.    
   
   
       4 . The swing spout of  claim 3  wherein said stop is disposed between said detent member and said rotational limiting portion.  
   
   
       5 . The swing spout of  claim 1  wherein said swing spout includes a nipple, and said nipple includes a ledge having a locking cavity; and wherein said bearing member abuts said ledge and said bearing member includes a locking projection disposed within said locking cavity.  
   
   
       6 . The swing spout of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 a support member disposed between said detent and said nipple.    
   
   
       7 . The swing spout of  claim 6  wherein said support member is an elastomer.  
   
   
       8 . A faucet comprising: 
 a nipple;    a spout hub having a detent member, said spout hub disposed over an upper portion of said nipple;    a bearing member having a detent, said bearing member disposed between an inner surface of said spout hub and an outer surface of said nipple,    wherein said spout hub is operable to rotate relative to said bearing member and wherein said detent member engages said detent at a predetermined rotational position thereby setting said spout hub.    
   
   
       9 . The faucet of  claim 8  wherein said detent includes a pair of flexible fingers and wherein said detent member includes a projection from said inner surface of said spout hub.  
   
   
       10 . The faucet of  claim 8 , wherein said bearing member includes a stop and said spout hub includes a rotational limiting portion; and 
 wherein said stop prevents rotation of said spout hub relative to said bearing member by contacting the rotational limiting portion when said spout hub is rotated a predetermined distance relative to said bearing member.    
   
   
       11 . The faucet of  claim 10  wherein said stop is disposed between said detent member and said rotational limiting portion.  
   
   
       12 . The faucet of  claim 8  wherein said swing spout includes a nipple and said nipple includes a ledge having a locking cavity; 
 wherein said bearing member abuts said ledge; and    wherein said bearing member includes a locking projection disposed within said locking cavity.    
   
   
       13 . The faucet of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 a support member disposed between said detent and said nipple.    
   
   
       14 . The faucet of  claim 13  wherein said support member is an elastomer.  
   
   
       15 . A method of rotating a swing spout comprising the steps of: 
 rotating a spout hub relative to a bearing member having a detent until a detent member on said spout hub is positioned within said detent.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said detent includes a pair of flexible fingers; and 
 wherein said detent member includes a projection from an inner surface of said spout hub.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step on: 
 further rotating said spout hub relative to said bearing member until said detent member is not positioned within said detent.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the steps of: 
 Further rotating said spout hub relative to said bearing member until a rotational limiting portion of said spout hub contacts a stop on said bearing member.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein as said spout hub approaches said detent, a first finger is pressed radially inwardly against a support member.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said support member is disposed between said bearing member and a nipple.